Yakubu Mohammed rebranded journalism in his own image

HIS father gifted him a Qalam, which in Arabic means Pen, at a time in his tender age when he did know what a pen symbolized or that his entire future career and prospects in life were going to be shaped by the powers of the Pen. Yakubu did not find himself in journalism or the Pen profession, he walked into it. He worked his way into it. He wanted to be there, he prepared for it, he laboured for it and in the often quoted aphorism of the late charismatic preacher Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, he ‘desired, aspired, perspired and acquired’ journalism’s feats. The personality of Journalism is bold, aggressive, flamboyant and loud. Journalism is intrusive, self-imposing, irreverent and oftentimes unapologetic. But by nature, Yakubu was not flamboyant. He was not loud. He was not irreverent. And he was not intrusive. He minded his own life and stayed in his own lane.And yet he was one of journalism’s best, both in content, context, and boldness.

We all are aware of his legendary exploits in Kaduna radio, in Campus Journalism at the University of Lagos, in the New Nigerian newspapers where he rose to become a star and latterly at his crowning jewel, the trail-blazing, innovative, inimitable and unforgettable Newswatch which he co-founded. Yakubu Mohammed had to compel journalism to bend to his own image. He shunned flamboyance, he rejected ‘in-your-face’ intrusiveness, he chose not to be irreverent, and never for once in his 75 years sojourn on the planet earth exhibited the ‘notice-me’ peculiarity of media super stars.He did not talk much, he did not pontificate, but he allowed his works to speak for him.

He did not force himself to be noticed, but his quietude in the little corner of a room accorded him unmistakable and respectable notice. His boldness is asserted by his dignified comportment. His silence is as loud as the sound of Gbedu drum. Journalism is, without a doubt, the most influential profession on earth. It gave Yakubu a million miles in its reach and spread. And he used its blessings not to enrich himself but to seek help and assistance from those in power, for his people who were hitherto disadvantaged and ignored. In the end, Yakubu’s simple flamboyance showed in his sober sartorial elegance while the house he lived in and the family he raised gave a statement of his, again, silent opulence. The unequalled influence which journalism commanded exposed Muhammed to men and women of power and means and he was made popular, famous, courted by the high and mighty. And in all this, he lived a life of uncommon humility and moralistic piety, admired and respected by peers and subordinates and loved by his creator.

What did Mohammed teach us as journalists?

That we must be hardworking and enterprising. We should be focused. We must put our foot on the ball and keep our eyes on the goalpost. We must dress well at all times. Your appearance determines the reception you receive everywhere. Read his Autobiography again and see he always took care of his shirt! We must be knowledgeable as journalists. If you are to inform and educate, you must be at least one step ahead of your ‘student’ We must be responsible, self-confident and self respecting  in order to become respectable. We should never be subservient to people in authority. Again, read his Autobiography, ‘Beyond Expectations’ We must write well as reporters, feature writers, and Columnists and draw creatively as cartoonists. If we write well, he said, we shall be noticed and admired by society. MKO Abiola sought him out. Authorities at the New Nigerian newspapers looked out for him.

He taught us to never run after riches fame and people of means….all, fame and important people will run after us if we make a success of our calling. He taught us a lot more lessons in the improvement of the practice of journalism and the upliftment of its practitioners. His legacies, indelible and noble, will forever remain evergreen. Yakubu Mohammed, erstwhile National Vice President of the League of Nigerian Columnists, rebranded journalism and its practice in his own image. Journalism of knowledge, of dignity and simplicity and of irreproachable integrity. Muhammed lives in us, and in Journalism’s imperishable Hall of Fame.

•Being the remarks by Jagun Oodua, Adeniyi, National President,  League of Nigerian Columnists, as Chairman of The Memorial Lecture in honour of Yakubu Mohammed in Lagos on April 30.